The 33-year-old is alleged to pretended she was on duty investigating the flare up between Gerrard and another man to secure the footage

This is the first picture of an ex-PCSO accused of trying to illegally seize CCTV footage of an alleged brawl involving Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard.

Helen Jones appeared at Preston Crown Court today to answer charges of misconduct.

It is alleged the former Merseyside police community support officer pretended she was on duty investigating the flare up between Gerrard and another man close to the footballer's millionaire home in Formby to obtain the recording.

Today, the Mirror can exclusively reveal the first picture of Jones, in her days with Cheshire Police.

On both her appearances at court, the 33-year-old has completely covered her face when entering and exiting the building to avoid being identified.

But the photograph above shows Jones, dressed in her police uniform, investigating an attack on a hospice in Halton, Cheshire.

Defendant: Helen Jones leaving Preston Crown court, her face hidden

The officer was called when yobs descended on the home, fired ball bearings at the premises and trashed a donated park bench on the grounds in 2004.

Jones spoke at Preston Crown Court only to confirm her name.

She was released on bail and will re-appear at the same court for a plea and case management hearing in April.

Judge Anthony Russell QC continued her bail until the next hearing.

At the time of the incident, on August 8, Jones was on a career break from Merseyside Police.

She started this sabbatical in March last year.

That means she was still employed by the force, but was not an acting officer when the alleged fracas took place.

And Jones quit the force last month, the Mirror revealed, after the commencement of the criminal probe against her.

Gerrard, his model wife Alex and the player's close pal Lee McPartland are named in civil action legal papers lodged at London's High Court.

A man named Paul Alan Lloyd is thought to be seeking damages from them in connection with the incident.

Jones, who is now living in Chatham, Kent, has indicated she will deny the offence of holding a public office and wilfully neglecting to perform her duty, and wilfully misconducting herself.